OPTIMISM that community football will be played in some form in 2020 is growing with AFL Victoria giving the green light for sanctioned training to resume.
\nClubs can start training on Monday, May 25 \u2013 almost two months after the COVID-19 brought the final stages of pre-season to a sudden halt.
\nHowever, restrictions have been applied that will see just 20 players on the oval at one time, with groups of 10 in separate halves of the field.
\n\u201cThe safety and wellbeing of our participants is our number one priority,\u201d a statement from AFL Victoria said.
\n\u201cAs such, our return to play strategy has been focused on ensuring we have the clear endorsement of State Government and public health officials at every phase of return.
\n\u201cEach state government is responsible for determining what level Australian football is in their State and approving when we can transition into the next stage.
\n\u201cFollowing Victorian Government advice around the return of community sport this week, AFL Victoria will release its return to train protocols early next week and is endorsing a return to club sanctioned training from Monday, May 25.
\n\u201cThis timing will provide the opportunity to communicate our protocols with Leagues and allow volunteers and clubs time to digest the protocols, go through an education period and prepare themselves ahead of returning to club sanctioned training.\u201d
\nMeanwhile, four-time Ash medallist Josh Finch believes his career could be extended thanks to the longer than expected break between seasons.
\nThe 33-year-old has notched up 258 high-intensity games for Modewarre.
\n\u201cIt could be a blessing in disguise having a year off, to get rid of all of the niggles,\u201d he said.
\n\u201cI was feeling late last year playing that many games in a row; that\u2019s why I rested the last game of the year before finals.
\n\u201cBut it could be a downturn as well. Not changing direction and doing all those things, it could create injuries for players as well.
\n\u201cI\u2019ll just see the body\u2019s feeling at the end of this year. Hopefully, we get going and get a dozen games in – hopefully, we can play finals – and then I\u2019ll see what it looks like.
\n\u201cIf we don\u2019t get going, I\u2019ll re-assess at the end of the year.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
OPTIMISM that community football will be played in some form in 2020 is growing with AFL Victoria giving the green light for sanctioned training to resume. Clubs can start training on Monday, May 25 \u2013 almost two months after the COVID-19 brought the final stages of pre-season to a sudden halt. However, restrictions have been […]<\/p>\n